Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer welcomed leaders from across the sports and business community to the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia on April 22 for Marketing of Soccer: 2026 and Beyond, presented by Bank of America.
The afternoon brought together professionals from soccer, marketing, and communications to explore how the game is evolving in the lead-up to 2026 and what that means for brands, organizations, and the fan experience.
Headlining the event was keynote speaker Catherine Newman, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for U.S. Soccer, who shared insight into the Federation’s approach to storytelling, fan engagement, and building momentum ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The panel discussion featured Derek Aframe (EVP, Octagon), Marc Horine (Chief Business Officer & Founding Partner, For Soccer), and Garrett Shea (President, Sports, Sponsorships and Events Consulting, LLC), who offered perspectives on sponsorship trends, the growth of soccer in the United States, and how organizations can better connect with audiences in an increasingly competitive sports landscape.
Throughout the program, speakers emphasized the opportunity surrounding 2026, not just as a moment for the sport, but as a catalyst for long-term growth across communities, businesses, and the broader soccer ecosystem.
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer would like to thank Bank of America for its support in making Marketing of Soccer: 2026 and Beyond possible.
